The moment which we all have been waiting for has finally arrived. Microsoft has revealed ‘some’ of the hardware specifications of their next-gen Xbox One console. The firm probably meant to keep the complete listing safe for a reveal at E3.

Hardware HighlightsIt features a single customized AMD chip which combines the GPU, CPU, memory and more onto one single chip. While Microsoft kept information on the GPU out of today’s reveal, we got to know that the processor is an eight-core CPU.

In the memory department it’s on par with the PS4 with 8GB of DDR3 RAM.

For storage and media, a 500GB hard drive was announced, along with a Blu-ray / DVD combo drive. However, Microsoft announced that disc-based games will be ripped to the hard drive automatically so the media drive will be used as little as possible.

Other specifications include USB 3.0 ports, 802.11n wireless with Wi-Fi Direct and HDMI in/out. Additionally the console will support both 1080p and 4K, with 7.1 surround sound.

As earlier rumors suggested, the Xbox One will be bundled with the new Kinect which features a new sensor capable of supporting 1080p video at 30 frames per second. Additionally it offers a wider field of view, which enables support for more players and a greater playing area, as well as a regular 720p web cam.

“This is human control, for a human experience,” said Microsoft’s Marc Whitten.

SmartGlass Functionality Unsurprisingly the Xbox One will also include SmartGlass functionality, which is actually built right into the console as a part of it.

Previously SmartGlass was revealed as an external service used to allow users to connect their mobile devices, tablets and computers with the console. In the case of Xbox One, the service is built from the ground up to specifically take advantage of the system’s architecture. Whitten claimed this allows the service to perform much better than before.

The service will also allow users to use simple gestures to control live TV or switch between applications using the console new interface.

The ControllerXbox One will feature a slightly redesigned controller which looks pretty similar to the current Xbox 360 one; except for the Guide button which is now at the top.

Whitten said that the controller has undergone 40 design changes, including some texturing on the sides of the analog sticks, new dynamic impulse triggers, a newly designed precision directional pad that is more cross-shaped, an integrated battery compartment and a Wi-Fi Direct Radio Stack.

“We’re taking the world’s best controller and making it better,” Whitten said.

A great change is the speedy response between the controller and console, which allegedly is around 15 percent more.